Signal light for vehicles



s. LIPPERT' Ju1y 12,1927. i (1,635,372

SIGNAL LIGHT FOR VEHICLES Filed March 31. 1924 3 sheets-sheet 2 July 12,1927.

v s. 14k-PERT SIGNAL LIGHT FOR VEHICLES Filed March 3l. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet y @Map MMM SAMUEL LIPPERT, F GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TOTE OUTLOOK COM- I INY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO.

SIGNAL Llena: ron VEHICLES..

Application led March 81, 1924-. Serial No. 703,190.

This invention relates to signal lights for vehicles and more particularly( to improvel ments 1n that class which combines 1n one 'device a stop or signal lightand a tail light.

The present preferred embodiment, as it pertains to the stop orsignal light, follows in a general way the principle involvedl in the warning signal for vehicles disclosed in the application of Arnold L. Stern and Frederick F. Hesse, Serial No2` 662,172,iled September 12, 1923; and in thismore desirable form I utilize a globe incorporating refracting and reiecting prisms, a product oi the Holophane Glass Company, New York, and to which globe, per se, I make no claim. y

What I regard as the fundamental principle of my invention is the combination of a reflector having a focal point; a' signal light substantially coincident with said point; and a tail light associated with the reiector but out of focus with respect thereto, the two lights having, preferably in common, a transparent screen or lens through whichtheir beams are projected.

The primary object of my invention is to provide means for carrying out the foregoing principle in a highly .practical and ecient manner.

Other objects-are to provide a compara# tively simple and inexpensive construction that is very durable; that is made up largely of die stamped sheet metal parts; that is adapted for convenient attachment to a vehicle; that is adjustable with respect to the vehicle; wherein a license tag support is lixedly held in a definite relation to the tail light and which relation cannot be disturbed through the adjustment of the device with respect to they vehicle thereby assuring a proper illumination of the license tag by the tail light; wherein certain parts are readily removable for the pur oses of replacement, and of ready accessiility of the lights; ywhile other objects will become apparent as this description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

, F1g.v1 shows my improved combined stop and tail light in rear elevation-that is, as it would appear when attached to a vehicle and viewed from the rear thereof; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device; Fig. 3'is a central vertical sectionl through the device from front to rear; Fig. 4 1s a bottom sectional plan, the plane of 'section being indicated by the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a frag# mentary perspective view of the base; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lam-p sockets; Fig. 7 shows inperspective fragments of the globe and lens; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view corresponding to Fig. 5 of the globeand lens retaining ring; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bracket plates which support the license tag; while Figs. lO'and 11 are, respectively, a sectional side elevation and 'avrear elevation 'of a modied formI of the invention.

In thepreferred embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, I employ a base 1 in the nature of an annulus which is preferablyconstructed of a piece of sheet metal and given a channel formation throughout the greater portion of its length while its ends are left flat and are turned outwardly on lines substantially radial with respect to the annulusv to form ears 2 that are provided with holes 2a and 2b, as will appear by reference to Fig. 5. The ears 2 extend over the 'top and bottom flanges of the base 1 to provide positioning lugs 2c and 2'i for a purpose which I shall presently explain. The ends of the base 1 are secured together through a itting 3, shown in perspective in Fig. 6, and which comprises a channel portion 4 that lits within the channel of the base 1 and is secured g-adjacent its ends .to the web of said base, as by rivets 5. I The fitting 4 is suitably ormed from sheet metal and carries lamp sockets 6 and 7, said sockets comprising shells which are preferably madeintegral with the portion Engaged on opposite sides of the ears 2 are similarly shaped portions 9 of bracket plates 10, said plates extending downwardlyA and rearwardly from the ears 2 and terminating .in lianges 11 to which a bar 12 is secured, as by rivets 13, the bar constituting a support for' the usual licensextag' (not shown). The plates 10 have apertures 10a and 10b which register, respectively, 'with the apertures 2a and 2b of the ears 2. p

The"structure is Aadapted to be supported from a suitable part of a vehicle, as from a I rear fender, by means of lugs 15 that are arrangedgfor application to the opposite sides of the vportions9 of plates 10, andsaid lugs"have apertures registering with those designated 10@L and 2, of the portions 9 and' ears 2, respectively. A bolt 17 `to`which a with lamps 20 and 2l,

' and the supported parts.

,and engaged nut 18 is applied, is engaged through the .aligning aperturesand serves to clamp the various parts together and maintain the proper angular relation between the lugs f 'lhe respective sockets 6 and 7 are fitted the oriner constitute ing the stop or signal light and the latter the tail light. Surmounting the base l and enclosing the lamps 20 and 21 is a globe 22; across the underside of the base is a lens-23. Gaskets 24 ol suitable material are preferably interposed between the top of the base and^ the globe and between the bottom of the base and the lens. rlhe globe is rovided with 'a peripheral harige' v25 which, as will be seen byreierence to Figs. 3 and 7 ,is notched at 216V for cooperation with the positioning lug l.2z formed bythe rear upper corners ol the ears 2, while the edge of thelens 23 is notched at 27 lor like cooperation with the lug- 2d constituted .oil the 4rear lower cornersA oi' said ears. V,The

globe and lens are thus properly positioned' vwith respect to the base,

parts Iwill be appie.

y and the importance of so positioning these ciated when it is explained that the globe 'ing prisms 22a, and on at what may v are reected angle with respect to the vehicle, serving to the globe',

l the utmost of the'capacity of the lamp 20 as an efficient signal light. 'lhe refracting prisms 23aL of the lens 23 serve to deect the rays romthe lamp 21 against a license tag supported by the bar l2. rllhe lens 23 is preferably `ot' clear glass while the globe 22 Y the lens `23.

is desirably constructed of red, or sof-called .ruby, glass; lt will be noted that the license tag supporting bar 12 has a rigid connection with the lam supporting parts and consequently the re ation between the license tag and tail light cannot be disturbed through any adjustments of the device with respect to the vehicle.

The globe and the lens are secured to the base by means of a split ring 30 which has top vand bottom {langes 31 and 32. These ilanges engage, respectively, the lange 25 of the globe and the peripheral portion of The split ring terminates at its ends in ears 33 which have holes 34 registering withthe apertures 2b of the ears 2 so that a bolt 35 may be engaged therethrough to bind the parts together. 'lhe With yicantera bolt is made suciently long, and the bottom idange 32 of the ring 30 sulliciently wide, to permit the ring 30 to be released and expandedenough to remove the globe 22 without completely freeing the ends of the ring and without dislodging the lens 23 trom the ange 32.

v -s hereinbefore related, the formation ol the globe 22 with the reecting and refracting prisms constitutes no part ot my invention except as to the location ot the stop or signal light or lamp substantially coincident with the ilocal point ofthe globe', positioning siderably remote from the focal point s0 and the i ot the tail llight or lamp 21 conthat its rays will not be a'ected by the globe nor illuminate the globe to any material extent except in the immediate region ot the lamp 21. .'lhe lamp, however, isin a position to adequately light the license tag, especiallyl as its rays are diirected and distributed by the prisms 23"" of thelens 23. y

'lhe same principle is present in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in liigs. 'l0 and 1l wherein a lamp 40 is supportedby a socket 41 at substantially the ilocal point of a parabolic vredector 42 which prisms of the 4 is housed within and secured to the open side of a casing 43 by means of a clamping ring 44,*the edge portion of the reflector and the periphery of a lens 45 being conned between an internal shoulder of the casing and the opposed llange of the said ring 44. Also su ported within the reflector 42, but consi erably out of locus with respect' thereto, is a tail lamp 47 that is sustained by a socket 48 in a position to project light through openings 49 and 50 in the reflector and casing, respectively, onto a license tag 51 supported below the casing through a branch 52 oit a suitable bracket 53 by means of which the casing is adjustably connected, through a Vbolt 54, to lugs 55 that are used for attaching the structure to a vehicle.

opening 50 in the casing 43. The lens 45 is provided with suitable refractin prisms 45 which serve to properly direct t e beams trom the reector 42 and lamp 40 so as to procure therefrom the maximum of efficiency as a stop or signal light. serves merely to moderately thereof that is adjacent said lamp, and to properly light `the lincense tag 51.

ln both forms of tended that after dark the tail light shall be on constantly, and that the stop or signal lamp shall be illuminated only when the driver intends to slow his direction of travel, the circuit 'of said lamp being preferably controlled by a switch having operative connection with-the brake vpedal or .other element of the vehicle so that the invention it in` A iio protecting glass 56 is shown as closing the Ai down, stop or change becomes so intense, and the area of the` globe or lens so thoroughly illuminated, that the effect of the tail light is practically obliviated. l

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. In a device of the character set forth,

' the combinationof an annular base con-Y structed of sheet inetal and having an in- IWardly` opening channelA formation except at its ends whereit terminates in ears, a fitting disposed 'within the portion ofthe base adjacent its ends and through which the ends are connected together with said ears engaging each other,'saidffitting incorporating lamp sockets that project above the base, lamps supported by said sockets, a globe surmounting the base and enclosing said lamps, a split ring encircling the basel and having a part cooperating with the globe for securing it to the base, and means for connecting the ends of said ring'to the-aforesaid ears of the base. l.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of. an annular base constructed of sheet metal and having an in- Wardly opening channel formation except at its ends where it terminates in ears, a

fitting disposed within the portion of thebase adjacent its ends and through which the ends are connected together with said ears engaging each other, said tting incorporating. lamp sockets that project above the base, lamps supported by said sockets, a globe surmounting the base `and enclosing said lamps, a lens disposed across the underside of the base, a split ring encircling the base and having parts cooperating with the globe and lens for' securing them to the base, and means l,for connecting the ends of said ring to the aforesaid ears of the base.

3; In a device of the character set forth, the combination of an annular base constructed of sheet metal and having an inwardly opening channel formation except at itsl ends where it -terminates in ears, a tting disposed within the portion of the base adjacent its ends and through which the ends are connected together with said e-ars engaging each other, said fitting incorporating lamp sockets that project above the base, lamps supported by said sockets, a globe surmounting the base and enclosing said lamps, a lens disposed across the underside of the base, a split ring encircling the base and having parts cooperating with the globe and lens for securing them to the base and means for connecting the ends of said ring to the aforesaid ears of the base, portions of said ears constituting positioning lugs, the globe and lens having recesses for the reception of said lugs whereby they are properly positioned with respect to the base.

4. In a device of' the character set forth,

the combination of a base comprising a splitring of inwardly opening channel formation terminating at its ends in ears thatl are substantially radialwith respect to the ring, a fitting including a part set within the channel of the base and overlapping and connected to the ends thereof thereby to secure said ends together with the aforesaid ears adjacent each other, said fitting incorporating lamp sockets,y lamps supported by said sockets, a globe surmounting vthe base and enclosing said lamps, said globe having a peripheral flange adjacentk the base, a lens disposed across the underside of the base, a split ring surrounding the base and having top and bottom flanges which overlap the flange of the globe and the edge portion of the-lens, respectively, and means securing lthe ends of said ring to the aforesaid ears.

5. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a base comprising a split ring terminating at its ends in ears that are substantially radial with respect to the ring, a fitting supported by the base and incorporating a lamp socket, a lam supported by said socket,.a globe surmounting the base and enclosing said lamp,`said globe having a peripheral flange adjacent the base, a lens disposed across the underside of the base, a split ring surrounding the base and having top and bottom flanges which overlap the flange of the globe and the edge portion of the lens, respectively, and means securing the ends of said ring to the aforesaid ears.

6. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a base comprising a split ring that terminates at its ends in ears that are substantially radial with respect to the ring, a Iitting sustained by the ring and incorporating lamp sockets, lamps supported by said sockets, a globe surmounting the lbase sel and enclosing said lamps, a lens disposed v.

,across the underside of the base, means for securing the globe and 'lens to the base, and brackets having parts engaged on opposlte sides of the aforesaid ears and designed to lis support a license tag below'the base where it will receive light through the aforesaid -lens, supporting lugs applied to opposite ting, lamps sustained by said sockets, a globe surmounting the base and enclosing the lamps and having a lange adjacent the base,

i' a lens disposed across the underside of the base and enclosmg base, and a split ring surrounding the base and having a comparatively shallow flange which engages over the flange of :the globe and a relatively deep flange underlying the edge portion of the lens, and means for adjustably connecting the ends of said ring, to the aforesaid lateral extension of the base.

,Y 8. In a device of the character set forth, the combination ofy Van annular base, a lamp sustained thereby, a globe surounting 'the the lamp d having a yflange adjacent the base, a lens disposed and having its ends across the underside ofthe base, and a splitring surrounding the base and having a comparatively shallow flange which engages over the flange of the globe and a relatively deep flange underlying the edge portion 'of the lens, and means for adj-ustably connecting the ends of said ring.

9. In a device ofthe classidescribed, an

vannular base member ofpchannel formation structed communicatlon with each other andy nel formation,

" Lesaafe l a globe secured tosaid base member and held in fixed relation'with respect to said lamps.

10. In adevice of the class described, a base comprising an annular member of chanchannel formation and supporting a signal lamp and a tail lamp, a globe substantially enclosing said lamps and having a focal point within the globe, said signal lamp being positioned at the focal point of said globe and said tail lamp being remote from said focal point, cooperating parts on sai'd globe and base, for positioning said globe with respect to said signal lamp and re, -fracting prisms in said globe inoperative relation to said signal lamp,

to illuminate lamps being positioned so as the interior of said globe.

a fitting secured Within said 11. In a device of the character set forth,

a base comprising channel formation, a, fitting secured within said base and supporting a pair Vof lamp sockets, lamps carried 'oning sald globe with respect to said lamps, said globe an annular member of by said sockets and a c, globe substantially enclosing said lamps and secured to said base and cooperating partsl on said globe and base for posit having refr-acting prisms in operative relal.

tion to one of said lamps, both of said lamps being positioned so as to illuminate the interior of said globe. y

111 testimony whereof, l hereunto ax my signature,

J SUEL LllPPER'l. 

